Speaking at Monday's Experience the Flavours of Chile event in London, Doug Henderson, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said that Chile has developed into a world leader as an fruit exporting country in the last 30 years. '..it's quite remarkable to note the extraordinary progress that the Chilean horticultural industry has made,' he said.

'There are a number of reasons for this success but they have all been underpinned by a robust belief in and adherence to the basic principles of free trade and competition. This has made the Chilean industry self-sufficient with an outward looking marketing strategy and has also encouraged substantial investment in its infrastructure, production and management expertise.

'The result has been the development of a competitive, world-class industry in terms of quality, product range and international market penetration.

'Chile really has led the way and other exporting countries have had to follow by implementing the painful process of deregulating their export marketing boards and exposing their export industries to a free, competitive environment.' Henderson added a note of caution to Chilean exporters who may view the Free Trade Agreement signed with the European Union as a sign of an open-door policy. 'It would be nice to report to you that the signing of a FTA between Chile and the EU in February heralds a similar change of heart in Brussels,' he said. 'But unfortunately we continue to need the help and support of trading partners like Chile to keep pressure on the Commission to reduce internal subsidies and external trade barriers.' The FPC, he said, has an agenda based on mutual interest and works for the common good of the fresh produce industry.

He praised the investment that Chile's industry has made in Good Agricultural Practices. 'One of the structural issues that continue to be an agenda priority for us is the value added consumer requirements that the produce industry now has to satisfy. Hitherto, price, quality and service were the principle requirements. However, they have been extended to embrace values such as environmental conservation, minimal use of pesticides, worker welfare and food safety.

'Supermarkets in the UK have undoubtedly acted as the principle and beneficial agents of change, ensuring that these values are added to their fresh produce offering and reflected in the activities of their supply chains. Thanks to them consumers have benefited from the development in the UK of the Assured Produce Scheme and at an international level EurepGAP.' The decision of the Chilean industry to develop and implement its own equivalent standard 'exemplifies and industry that is continuing to strive for excellence, has confidence to invest in itself and has its ultimate consumer uppermost in its mind,' he said.

'The Chilean industry is one that has a history of success, its eyes firmly focused on the future and is sensitively responsive to its consumers. These are the essential requirements for a sustainable and vigorous industry.'

Topics